Yesterday (May 1st) marked the final major event of the
WA triathlon season and with it the start of the off season.
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| And that is how today has gone.... |
How did I mark the momentous date in the diary….by participating
in my second Busselton 70.3 event.
By way of a build-up let me say that I signed up to this race on
the back of the euphoric high that I had after my full Ironman experience in
December. I was languishing and needed further motivation to keep training and
not lose all some of the fitness I had gained during that training
regime. This started very well and petered out as other pressures (family and
work) took their toll on life. That said, I still felt that I had a good base
and was ready to toe the line and enjoy the day.
This trip down was a little different to my passed races. I was
going to the event solo (ie without my family) which was different and I felt
that it was a missing factor in the lead up excitement. I stayed with some club
friends and as such it really was an athlete house and in that respect it was
“fun” to see everyone’s pre-race habits.
I felt considerably more disorganized for this event that the last
two major races. I don’t know but the whole time I had a nagging thought in the
back of my mind that even now I can’t quite put my finger on what it really
was. Maybe the fact that I was knowingly undercooked was weighing on me.
That disorganization spread into race morning where I faffed about
and left my street gear and wet suit in the car while I set up transition
(another drawback to no family – no assistance luggage carriers) and after
setting up transition (quickly) I ran back to my car to get my gear, ran back
to the tent to drop it off then back to the start line (about 1,200m total) and
ended up being one of the last 4 people in the age group in the starting pen…it
also meant that I started on the “wrong” side and was amongst the scrum of
swimmers for the first 1,200m. Apart from thrashing around in the swim it was
uneventful, my rhythm came and went and I think I could have pushed a bit
harder but overall was happy with it. Overall – 33:03 (2min PB).
T1 – uneventful as ever – 4:05.
Not my quickest time but I recall getting my wet suit stuck on my foot, picking
up then putting down my arm warmers and stabbing myself in my right nostril
with the arm of my sun glasses (uncomfortable!) as I went to put them on….doh!
The ride…hmmmm….for some reason I could not get comfortable! I sat
in areo, sat up, leant forward, rolled my hips, stood up, stood to one side,
stood to the other and generally fidgeted for the majority of the ride. I will
be interested to see the race photos as I am pretty sure that the pictures will
not be pleasant. I also developed a rub on the rear wheel that only occurred on
the down stroke of the right leg. Apart from seeing the aftermath of a crash
and sadly the riders being neck braced and stretchered into the ambulances
(thoughts are with them!) the ride really was uneventful. The conditions where
great with very little wind to speak of. Overall – 2:44:22 (1min PB).
T2 – happily dismounting the bike I trotted into transition. Switched
shoes and head gear and was out on the run 2:37.
Almost clinical and personally one of my quicker transition times…could I be
starting to get the hang of this transition game….
The run. The element I was dreading the most through my lack of
preparation. I did however go into this run with a plan. I had fuelled better
on the bike, I knew that (thanks to my nutritionist). I had my fuel ready to go
on the run at set intervals (again, thanks to my nutritionist for the plan!).
My plan was to hold myself back at a steady 5:45 pace and walk the aid
stations…I didn’t manage to hold back very well for the first 3.5kms but then
caught up to a chap that was running the pace I wanted. I slowed and chatted to
him and happily trundled along at the right pace for the next 3.5kms. I then
took on a gel and walked an aid station and let him carry on (about 8kms in). I
then continued with that trend for the remainder of the race. I didn’t find it
an easy policy to stick too and gradually my times deteriorated, especially in
the last lap of the course. It was fantastic to see so many friends and team
mates out there competing and in all truth, not knowing who you would see
coming the other way (and when) really kept me honest and moving forward! I
loved seeing people having a strong day and smiling their way through the
course. Club alley was as always a major uplift and great seeing my club
colours standing out loud and proud and getting the high 5s from them on the
way through. Overall – 2:06:19 (16min
PB).
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| A good improvement across the board really! |
I was so very glad to finish this race. I have battled with a bit
of a dejected feeling for the last 24hrs (and I suspect for a few more days
yet). I went into the race under trained and did not give the race the respect
it deserved. Whilst I am THRILLED with my finish and a personal best of 20mins
over last year I can’t help but wonder if I have a little bit of training
fatigue and as such “rebelled” against training for the race…in some ways I feel
that this result is not justified….sigh post IM blues!
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| I was honestly trying to smile! I promise I was.... |
This week is a rest week….I MAY roll the legs over towards the end
of the week (I may not…we will see) then next week I want to start my training for the
marathon in August. I know – how silly that I have been talking about training
fatigue and then am already talking up the next event but in truth I am looking
forward to training for one discipline…one that is actually the most flexible
as I can run before or after work or even during lunch on the short run days.
Plus, running is where I need to see my most gains (weight and
speed) so that is where I need to focus regardless of feeling.
But for now I shall savour the guilt free lie ins of the week and
enjoy the family time that comes from “all this free time”….
Thanks for reading
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